HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Waiver of subdivision standards for 125 Hyland Avenue and 118 & 122 Campus Avenue RESOLUTION NO. 12-608
RESOLUTION APPROVING WAIVER OF SUBDIVISION STANDARDS
FOR 125 HYLAND AVENUE AND 118 & 122 CAMPUS AVENUE
FOR THE CITY OF AMES,IOWA
WHEREAS,the Council recently directed staffto prepare a report regarding correspondence
from Doug Pyle, and the letter requested a waiver of development standards in order to develop
property at 125 Hyland Avenue and 118 and 122 Campus Avenue; and,
WHEREAS,the waiver requested is specifically for the subdivision lot design standard that
prohibits creating a lot with double frontages or reverse frontages in a residential zoning district;and,
WHEREAS, zoning standards for the district in which this property is located require any
new building to be located at a build-to line that coincides with most of the other apartment buildings
on Hyland Avenue; and,
WHEREAS, it also requires a primary pedestrian entrance on the front of the building with
architectural features that bring attention to it, and these standards require a certain minimum area
of windows on the front facade and that brick comprises more of the exterior material than any other;
and,
WHEREAS,in the letter requesting the waiver,the developer described the properties—one
fronting on Hyland Avenue and two fronting on Campus Avenue—and his proposal to consolidate
the three lots into one parcel would, therefore, have frontages on both Hyland and Campus; and,
WHEREAS,the proposed development describes a new, 13-unit apartment building facing
Hyland that would extend 80 feet across the entire frontage on Hyland between the side-yard
setbacks, and the only street access would be from Campus Avenue; and,
WHEREAS, the parking required for this building would fill most of the remainder of the
property,and since parking to serve residential uses must be on the property where the use is located,
the entire project would be on one lot; and,
WHEREAS, without the waiver, the subdivision standards require at least two lots — one
fronting on Hyland Avenue, and one fronting on Campus Avenue; and,
WHEREAS, staff notes that the size and location of lots is a key determinant of the image
and character of an urban area, along with setbacks and allowable lot coverage or density; and,
WHEREAS, the subject properties on Hyland and Campus Avenues are within an area of
many existing apartment buildings,which tend to have a consistent location at the front setback line,
creating a uniform street wall, especially on Hyland Avenue; and,
WHEREAS, since 1970,North Hyland Avenue has undergone an almost complete turnover
from smaller wood frame rooming houses and apartments to larger apartment buildings,and Campus
Avenue is now undergoing a similar transition; and,
WHEREAS,the City Council must determine if the conditions in this case meet criteria for
a waiver of a subdivision requirement.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Ames, Iowa,
that the waiver of the subdivision lot design standard that prohibits creating a lot with double
frontages or reverse frontages in a residential zoning district for property at 125 Hyland Avenue and
118 and 122 Campus Avenue is hereby approved.
ADOPTED THIS 27th day of November, 2012.
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Diane R. Voss, City Clerk Ann H. Campbell, Mayor
Introduced by: Wacha
Seconded by: Davis
Voting aye: Davis, Larson, Orazem, Wacha
Voting nay: Goodman, Szopinski Absent: None
Resolution declared adopted and signed by the Mayor this 27th day of November, 2012.